Leaky shop press

[trk204]

Hey guys, I picked up a free to me shop press the other day. The only problem is it looks like the cylinder is leaking all the hydraulic fluid everywhere. I don't know much more about these things other then pump and release. So my lingo may be off

The cylinder is a separate unit from the pump, so it's not one of the bottle jack type presses. I can unscrew the pump from the cylinder and full with fluid, only to have it evacuate in the evening. It does hold pressure and is usable if you keep adding fluid.

I guess there would be some kind of seal kit available for these things? Is there a model # from the cylinder I need to get or is it just a generic thing?

 

[hairy_apple]

Might be able to find a hydraulic shop that can get you seals. I don't know if they are everywhere, I just know there are two places locally here that work on everything hydraulic from tractors to presses.

 

[SpyGuy]

It would help if you told where the fluid is leaking from. And since you're describing something different than a bottle jack, photos of the system (showing where the leak is) would be even more helpful in diagnosing your problem.

 

[e9999]

if it does hold pressure, that suggests it's not one of the seals associated with the cylinder and piston side, maybe more the lines getting there?

 

[SpyGuy]

When he says it "holds pressure" what does he really mean? A cylinder under load could lose a teaspoon of oil and only move very little. Yet that teaspoon of oil will make quite a mess.

 

[RAYJON]

think of it this way you have pump and a ram. the ram is leaking from what you said, release the valve on the pump and pull the ram out, take it down to your local hydraulic shop, have them pull it apart and get you 5$ in seals and you can put it back together, very simple just make sure the seals go back in the same as the ones that came out, look close at them

not that hard. have done rams on equipment most of the pain is getting them out, a shop press should be easy...

 

[Robs76fj40]

It could be the shaft seal leaking, as that wouldn't affect "holding" pressure - per se. But to answer your question more directly - unless it has been damaged by improper use then yes it can be rebuilt. If there isn't any identification labels that indicate bore size, brand, etc. you should remove the cylinder and find a hydraulic repair facility or supply shop, larger farm implement service center, semi/tractor trailer supply - something along those lines should have no problem helping you either get the proper kit or providing the entire rebuild service.

 

[RAYJON]

were you able to fix it???